System, method and apparatus for retrieving schedule information from a remote location for an electronic calendar - A user device accesses a webpage (hosted on a schedule host server) to identify a calendar or schedule of interest for downloading for incorporation into a calendar application within the user device (or otherwise identifies the calendar or schedule from a message received at the user device). A single click on a link within the webpage or message) selects a specific schedule or events or calendar entries corresponding thereto and constitutes a user request for the information. The user's request is redirected to a fulfillment server that retrieves calendar/schedule information corresponding to the selected link and downloads the information to the user's calendar, and thus multiple calendar entries are inserted and stored in response to selection of the link. A calendar plug-in may be provided within the user device for interfacing to the calendar application. Optionally, additional information (i.e., markers, tags, flags) may be inserted or associated with the calendar entries to uniquely identify them and associate them with a specific calendar/schedule.

2008-09-25

20080235682

DEFINING AND EXECUTING PROCESSES USING DECLARATIVE PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE CONSTRUCTS - A computer-implemented technique for executing a process is provided. The technique includes providing a class having at least one annotation that defines at least a portion of the process. The annotation is a run-time-readable, non-executable declarative programming construct that is associated with a first method of the class, and specifies at least one transition rule and a second method of the class associated with the transition rule. A process engine, which runs on a computer and is not an instance of the class, parses the annotation to extract the transition rule. The process engine receives a message from a source external to the process engine, and evaluates whether the transition rule is satisfied, responsively to the message. Upon finding that the transition rule is satisfied, the process engine invokes the second method, so as to generate an output with respect to the message. Other embodiments are also described.

2008-09-25

20080235683

Data Processing System And Method - A method of producing a compartment specification for an application, the method comprising executing the application; determining resource requests made by the executing application; and recording the resource requests in the compartment specification.

2008-09-25

20080235684

Heuristic Based Affinity Dispatching for Shared Processor Partition Dispatching - A mechanism is provided for determining whether to use cache affinity as a criterion for software thread dispatching in a shared processor logical partitioning data processing system. The server firmware may store data about when and/or how often logical processors are dispatched. Given these data, the operating system may collect metrics. Using the logical processor metrics, the operating system may determine whether cache affinity is likely to provide a significant performance benefit relative to the cost of dispatching a particular logical processor to the operating system.

2008-09-25

20080235685

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC APPLICATION COMPOSITION IN STREAMING SYSTEMS - A system and method for dynamically building applications for stream processing includes providing processing elements with a flow specification describing each input and a stream description describing each output such that the flow specification indicates a stream or streams which are to be received based on processing information and the stream descriptions indicate the processing information. Processing elements that can be reused are identified by determining equivalence between the processing elements. Processing elements that are new and are not reusable are instantiated in a flow graph. An application is dynamically composed, using the instantiated processing elements by routing available streams to the instantiated processing elements in accordance with the flow specifications.

2008-09-25

20080235686

Method and apparatus for improving thread posting efficiency in a multiprocessor data processing system - A computer implemented method, a data processing system, and computer usable program code for improving thread posting efficiency in a multiprocessor data processing system are provided. Aspects of the present invention first receive a set of threads from an application. The aspects of the present invention then group the set of threads with a plurality of processors based on a last execution of the set of threads on the plurality of processors to form a plurality of groups. The threads in each group in the plurality of groups are all last executed on a same processor. The aspects of the present invention then wake up the threads in the plurality of groups in any order.

2008-09-25

20080235687

SUPPLY CAPABILITY ENGINE WEEKLY POLLER - A method for executing and polling an operational slice of a supply capability engine. The method of polling is designed to query a DB2 table searching for a predetermined, eligible operational slice to process. When an operational slice is detected that is ready to be processed, an entry on a queue is placed, typically to a second DB2 table. The operational slices on the queue are then processed sequentially. The poller monitors the duration of the operational slice, and generates an alert if any of the operational slices placed on the queue exceed an allowable duration.

2008-09-25

20080235688

Enhanced Distance Calculation for Job Route Optimization - Systems and methods provide optimized distribution of jobs for execution among available workers. Categories are established for pairs of jobs based on a precise or estimated distance between each pair of jobs. Values are then assigned to the pairs of jobs and various decisions about job assignment and grouping can be made based upon the assigned value. The systems and methods allow certain job pairs to be excluded from consideration from grouping together, and emphasize which jobs are best suited for pairwise assignment, resulting in reduction of costs and necessary resources.

2008-09-25

20080235689

Scheduling in a communication server - A method of operating a communication server in handling data from a plurality of channels, which includes receiving data of a plurality of channels, by the communication server, determining, for the channels, target times by which the channels should be handled in order to avoid starvation of the channel, estimating handling times required for processing sessions of the channel and repeatedly selecting, by a scheduler of the communication server, a channel whose data is to be handled responsive to the determined target times and the estimated handling times. In addition, a processor of the communication server is scheduled to perform, without interruption for handling of data of other channels, a processing session on the selected channel, in which the received data is prepared for transmission and placed in an output buffer and at least one driver of the communication server transmits the data prepared for transmission independently of the processor of the communication server.

2008-09-25

20080235690

Maintaining Processing Order While Permitting Parallelism - A system and method for maintaining processing order while permitting parallelism. Processing of a piece of work is divided into a plurality of stages. At each stage, a task advancing the work towards completion is performed. By performing processing as a sequence of tasks, processing can be done in parallel, with progress being made simultaneously on different pieces of work in different stages by a plurality of threads of execution.

2008-09-25

20080235691

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF STREAM PROCESSING WORKFLOW COMPOSITION USING AUTOMATIC PLANNING - An automatic planning system is provided for stream processing workflow composition. End users provide requests to the automatic planning system. The requests are goal-based problems to be solved by the automatic planning system, which then generates plan graphs to form stream processing applications. A scheduler deploys and schedules the stream processing applications for execution within an operating environment. The operating environment then returns the results to the end users.

2008-09-25

20080235692

APPARATUS AND DATA STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMATIC WORKFLOW COMPOSITION - A stream processing system provides a description language for stream processing workflow composition. A domain definition data structure in the description language defines all stream processing components available to the stream processing system. Responsive to receiving a stream processing request, a planner translates the stream processing request into a problem definition. The problem definition defines stream properties that must be satisfied by property values associated with one or more output streams. The planner generates a workflow that satisfies the problem definition given the domain definition data structure.

2008-09-25

20080235693

Methods and apparatus for window-based fair priority scheduling - A system provides a task scheduler to define a priority queue with at least one window and a queue-window key. Each window is an ordered collection of tasks in a task pool of the priority queue and is identified by the queue-window key. The task scheduler sets a task-window key equal to a user-window key when the user-window key is greater than the minimum queue-window key. The task scheduler can further set the task-window key equal to the minimum queue-window key when the user-window key is less than the minimum queue-window key. A maximum task limit per user for each window and a priority increment for the user-window key are further applied to ensure fair scheduling.

2008-09-25

20080235694

Method of Launching Low-Priority Tasks - A driver is provided to manage launching of tasks at different levels of priority and within the parameters of the firmware interface. The driver includes two anchors for managing the tasks, a dispatcher and an agent. The dispatcher operates at a medium priority level and manages communication from a remote administrator. The agent functions to receive communications from the dispatcher by way of a shared data structure and to launch lower priority level tasks in respond to the communication. The shared data structure stores communications received from the dispatcher. Upon placing the communication in the shared data structure, the dispatcher sends a signal to the agent indicating that a communication is in the data structure for reading by the agent. Following reading of the communication in the data structure, the agent launches the lower priority level task and sends a signal to the data structure indicating the status of the task. Accordingly, a higher level task maintains its level of operation and spawns lower level tasks through the dispatcher in conjunction with the agent.

2008-09-25

20080235695

RESOURCE ALLOCATION SYSTEM FOR JOBS, RESOURCE ALLOCATION METHOD AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION PROGRAM FOR JOBS - A resource allocation system for jobs includes: a timer for notifying switch of priority jobs in a priority period based on a predetermined processor priority allocation time of each job; a dispatcher for taking out a head process from a ready queue which is a queue of a process corresponding to a job selected as a priority job and being executable by an information processing system, for each job, based on the notification, and for allocating it to an instruction execution unit; and the instruction execution unit for executing an instruction of an executing process which is an allocated process.

2008-09-25

20080235696

ACCESS CONTROL APPARATUS AND ACCESS CONTROL METHOD - The disclosed access control apparatus and method controls an I/O device to perform processing of access requests in a predetermined order including inputting access requests from multiple tasks to cause the I/O device to perform file processing, storing and managing information about file priorities, obtaining a file priority corresponding to an access request, managing a queue having multiple queues for which the processing priorities corresponding to the file priorities are set and causing the access request to be stored in any of the queues corresponding to the file priority, and obtaining the access requests stored in the queues in an order based on the processing priorities set for the queues and sends the access requests to the I/O device.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSIGNING CANDIDATE PROCESSING NODES IN A STREAM-ORIENTED COMPUTER SYSTEM - A method of choosing jobs to run in a stream based distributed computer system includes determining jobs to be run in a distributed stream-oriented system by deciding a priority threshold above which jobs will be accepted, below which jobs will be rejected. Overall importance is maximized relative to the priority threshold based on importance values assigned to all jobs. System constraints are applied to ensure jobs meet set criteria.

2008-09-25

20080235699

SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING QUALITY OF SERVICE IN LINK LAYER AND METHOD USING THE SAME - A system and method of providing a quality of service (QoS) is provided. The method of providing the QoS in the link layer includes receiving, by a stream providing device, minimum and maximum resource requirement information of a stream receiving device; transmitting, by the stream providing device, a reservation message including the minimum and maximum resource requirement information; allocating a resource, by at least one bridge, based on the reservation message transmitted from the stream providing device; and receiving, by the stream receiving device, a stream transmitted from the stream providing device via the resource.

2008-09-25

20080235700

Hardware Monitor Managing Apparatus and Method of Executing Hardware Monitor Function - A hypervisor OS includes a monitor context table in which plural monitor contexts each including monitor operation conditions and information concerning priority are set in order to set a hardware monitor function for monitoring operation states of plural physical processors that execute plural processes in parallel. The hypervisor OS causes the hardware monitor function to execute on a monitor context with high priority satisfying a monitor operation condition, for acquiring monitor data and outputting the monitor data together with timing data indicating time when the monitor operation condition is satisfied and outputs timing data indicating time when the monitor operation condition is satisfied, on a monitor context satisfying a monitor operation condition but having low priority.

2008-09-25

20080235701

ADAPTIVE PARTITIONING SCHEDULER FOR MULTIPROCESSING SYSTEM - A symmetric multiprocessing system includes multiple processing units and corresponding instances of an adaptive partition processing scheduler. Each instance of the adaptive partition processing scheduler selectively allocates the respective processing unit to run process threads of one or more adaptive partitions based on a comparison between merit function values of the one or more adaptive partitions. The merit function for a particular partition of the one or more adaptive partitions may be based on whether the adaptive partition has available budget on the respective processing unit. The merit function for a particular partition associated with an instance of the adaptive partition scheduler also, or in the alternative, may be based on whether the adaptive partition has available global budget on the symmetric multiprocessing system.

2008-09-25

20080235702

Componentized Automatic Provisioning And Management Of Computing Environments For Computing Utilities - The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for automatically provisioning and managing re-sources in a computing utility. Its automation procedures are based on a resource model which allows resource specific provisioning and management tasks to be encapsulated into components for reuse. These components are assembled into more complex structures and finally computing services. This invention provides a method for constructing a computing service from a set of resources given a high level specification. Once constructed, the service includes a component that provides management function, which can allow modification of its underlying set of resources.

2008-09-25

20080235703

On-Demand Utility Services Utilizing Yield Management - Techniques for provision of on-demand utility services utilizing a yield management framework are disclosed. For example, in one illustrative aspect of the invention, a system for managing one or more computing resources associated with a computing center comprises: (i) a resource management subsystem for managing the one or more computing resources associated with the computing center, wherein the computing center is able to provide one or more computing services in response to one or more customer demands; and (ii) a yield management subsystem coupled to the resource management subsystem, wherein the yield management subsystem optimizes provision of the one or more computing services in accordance with the resource management subsystem and the one or more computing resources.

2008-09-25

20080235704

Plug-and-play load balancer architecture for multiprocessor systems - One embodiment relates to a multiprocessor system with a modular load balancer. The multiprocessor system includes a plurality of processors, a memory system, and a communication system interconnecting the processors and the memory system. A kernel comprising instructions that are executable by the processors is provided in the memory system, and a scheduler is provided in the kernel. Load balancing routines are provided in the scheduler, the load balancing routines including interfaces for a plurality of balancer operations. At least one balancer plug-in module is provided outside the scheduler, the balancer plug-in module including the plurality of balancer operations. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.

2008-09-25

20080235705

Methods and Apparatus for Global Systems Management - Techniques for globally managing systems are provided. One or more measurable effects of at least one hypothetical action to achieve a management goal are determined at a first system manager. The one or more measurable effects are sent from the first system manager to a second system manager. At the second system manager, one or more procedural actions to achieve the management goal are determined in response to the one or more received measurable effects. The one or more procedural actions are executed to achieve the management goal.

2008-09-25

20080235706

Workflow Decision Management With Heuristics - Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for workflow decision management. Embodiments typically include maintaining a device state history; identifying a device usage pattern in dependence upon the device state history; identifying a derived scenario in dependence upon the device usage pattern; and selecting a heuristic in dependence upon the derived scenario. In typical embodiments, the heuristic has a tolerance. Embodiments also include identifying a workflow in dependence upon the selected heuristic and executing the workflow in dependence upon the tolerance.

2008-09-25

20080235707

Data processing apparatus and method for performing multi-cycle arbitration - A data processing apparatus and method are provided for arbitrating between multiple access requests seeking to access a plurality of resources sharing a common access path. At least one logic element issues access requests requesting access to the resources, and each access request identifies which of the resources is to be accessed. Arbitration circuitry performs a multi-cycle arbitration operation to arbitrate between multiple access requests to be passed over the common access path, the arbitration circuitry having a plurality of pipeline stages to allow a corresponding plurality of multi-cycle arbitration operations to be in progress at any one time. Filter circuitry is provided which has a plurality of filter states, the number of filter states being dependent on the number of pipeline stages of the arbitration circuitry, and each resource being associated with one of the filter states. For a new multi-cycle arbitration operation to be performed by the arbitration circuitry, the filter circuitry selects one of the filter states that has not been selected for any other multi-cycle arbitration operation already in progress within the pipeline states of the arbitration circuitry. Then, it determines as candidate access requests for the new multi-cycle arbitration operation those access requests that are seeking to access a resource associated with the selected filter state. Such an approach allows efficient multi-cycle arbitration to take place even where the resources may have inter-access timing parameters associated therewith which prevent them from being able to receive access requests every clock cycle.

2008-09-25

20080235708

Selectively updating web pages on a mobile client - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for enabling the selective updating of web pages provided to a mobile client using, for example, AJAX technology. The system, method, and computer program product are optionally further extended to harmonize synchronization of data retrieved by other methods with data updated using AJAX. The use of AJAX technology is disclosed within the context of additional technology suites which may be substituted to achieve the same function. Additionally, the use of queuing AJAX updates is discussed.

2008-09-25

20080235709

BRIDGE FOR LINKING TWO PUBLISH/SUBSCRIBE MESSAGE BROKERS - There is disclosed a method, computer program and bridge for linking two publish/subscribe message brokers together. A subscription is made to receive request messages on one or more topics from a first broker. A subscription is made to receive all messages published at either the first or the second broker to a replyto topic including a bridge identifier. A request message is received from the first broker, the request message specifying a temporary replyto topic on which responses to the request should be published. The temporary reply to topic is modified to specify a bridge identifier. The modified request message is forwarded to a second broker. A response to the request is received from the second broker, the response being published on the replyto topic including the bridge identifier. The bridge receives the response as a result of the subscription to receive all messages published to a topic including the bridge identifier. The response is forwarded to the first broker.

2008-09-25

20080235710

Distributed Pluggable Middleware Services - Plug-in configurable middleware is provided for managing distributed applications. The middleware includes at least one core runtime engine configured as a plurality of concurrent instantiations on one or more hosts within a distributed architecture. These hosts can represent separate nodes or a single node within the architecture. Each core runtime engine instance provides the minimum amount of functionality required to support plug-in architecture, that is to support the instantiation of one or more plug-ins within that core runtime engine instance. Each core runtime engine instance is in communication with other concurrent core runtime engine instances and can share the functionality of plug-in instances with the other core runtime engine instances, for example through the use of proxies. A plurality of personalities representing pre-defined functions is defined and one of more of these personalities is associated with each core runtime engine instance. A plurality of pre-defined plug-ins are defined and associated with the personalities. Each plug-in is a unit of function containing runtime code that provides a portion of the function a personality to which the plug-in is associated. The plug-ins are instantiated on the appropriate core runtime instances to provide the function to that core runtime engine instance as defined in the associated personality.

2008-09-25

20080235711

Coordinating instances of a thread or other service in emulation - A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining a software flaw indication resulting from an emulation of a first instance of a thread at least partly in response to a first input from a user interface or indicating a virtually instantiated service via a data flow between a user interface and an operating system, the virtually instantiated service including at least a virtual instance; and accessing another instance of the virtually instantiated service at least partly in response to the user interface after indicating the virtually instantiated service via the data flow between the user interface and the operating system or manipulating a second instance of the thread at least partly in response to a second input arriving from the user interface after beginning the emulation of the first instance of the thread.

Distributed Processing System and Method - A method is disclosed that receives a function call at an application program interface. The method selects a first processor of a plurality of processors to execute the function call. The method further executes a first transmit function associated with a bus coupled to the first processor. The first transmit function includes a function parameter associated with the function call.

2008-09-25

20080235714

Optical Disc Device - When storage of an optical disc in which information has been recorded is started, a pair of rollers rotate while holding the optical disc inserted through an insertion/ejection slot of a body of an optical disc device, so that the rollers convey the optical disc to the inside of the body. On this occasion, circumferential edge sensing units provided in the inside of the body sense a circumferential edge of the inserted optical disc continuously to thereby sense the outer diameter, shape and insertion state of the inserted optical disc. The optical disc is ejected when decision is made that there is abnormality.

2008-09-25

20080235715

Optical disc apparatus - To eliminate scratches on a disc surface of an optical disc in an emergency eject operation, there is provided an optical disc apparatus including: an emergency eject detector for detecting an emergency eject instruction; a rotation speed detector for producing a signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the optical disc; and a logical circuit unit which is operated by a first signal from the emergency eject detector and a second signal from the rotation speed detector, and when the second output signal is not more than a reference level, produces a third signal so as to input a control signal for instructing stop of the actuator control into an actuator controller. After detection of the emergency eject instruction, the apparatus performs the actuator control without producing the third signal until the rotation speed is not more than a predetermined value. Thus the objective lens is made in a focus control state or in a saving state in which the objective lens is separated from the disc surface.

2008-09-25

20080235716

Electronic Apparatus - The present invention is an electronic apparatus including: an electronic apparatus main body

2008-09-25

20080235717

MOTOR WITH A CHUCKING DEVICE AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - In a motor including a chucking device for detachably holding a disk, the chucking device has a center case to which a central opening of the disk is inserted. The center case has a cylindrical portion coaxial with the center axis, a cover portion for covering an axial upper side of the cylindrical portion of the center case and a base portion fixed to the shaft-fixed portion of the rotor holder; resilient members received within the center case; and claw members remaining in contact with the respective resilient members, the claw members being movable radially to hold the disk in place. The center case is spaced apart from the rotor holder except for the base portion contacting with the shaft-fixed portion of the rotor holder.

2008-09-25

20080235718

MOTOR WITH A CHUCKING DEVICE AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - In a motor including a chucking device for detachably holding a disk, the chucking device has a center case to which a central opening of the disk is inserted; resilient members received within the center case; and claw members for holding the disk in place. Each of the claw members has a tip end portion, a disk holding surface positioned axially below the tip end portion for holding the disk in place, and a recessed sliding portion formed substantially at a circumferential center region of the disk holding surface, the sliding portion serving to guide movement of the claw member. Rest portions are formed in the center case in a facing relationship with the respective sliding portions, the rest portions serving to support the respective sliding portions by contacting therewith. Each of the rest portions has an upwardly convex curved surface with which the corresponding sliding portion makes contact.

2008-09-25

20080235719

Image analysis for use with automated audio extraction - A system and method for identifying multiple discs, prior to their use in an automated system is disclosed. A robotic arm, or similar device, is used to pick a disc from a set of unprocessed discs in a first receptacle. The robotic arm then holds the disc in position, where an imaging device captures an image of the disc. A computing system, in communication with the imaging device, determines whether a single disc is present, or multiple discs are present. Based on the result of this determination, the disc is either placed in the media reader for further processing, or rejected and placed in one of the output receptacles.

2008-09-25

20080235720

MOTOR WITH A CHUCKING DEVICE AND DISK DRIVE APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - In a motor including a chucking device for detachably holding a disk, the chucking device has a center case to which a central opening of the disk is inserted; resilient members received within the center case; and claw members for holding the disk in place. Each of the claw members has a claw portion having a disk holding surface for holding the disk in place and a pair of wing portions extending radially inwardly from the claw portion. Further, each of the wing portions has a spherical contact surface contacting with a underlying part arranged axially below the wing portions.

2008-09-25

20080235721

Methods and Systems for Creating and Providing Collaborative User Reviews of Products and Services - Methods, systems, and user-interfaces for creating a collaborative review of an offering may facilitate multiple people (users) collaborating on a review by submitting short statements concerning particular characteristics, traits, or qualities concerning the offering. Users can also vote on the validity or strength of each submitted statement. Votes on statements are tabulated, scores are computed, and the information is fed back to the user. These actions take place over a network with users of computing devices interacting with the system running on one or more servers. In one embodiment, the end results of this process is a single collaborative review for each offering that reflects the experiences, knowledge, and understanding of multiple people concerning that offering. The collaborative review may be made accessible via a network as a useful resource for people in making decisions about that offering.

2008-09-25

20080235722

Customized Advertisement Splicing In Encrypted Entertainment Sources - In one embodiment, a method includes receiving gap information from an entertainment content source configured to provide an entertainment stream associated with a contributing source information providing a source of the entertainment stream and a chronological order to render the entertainment stream, the entertainment stream being encrypted and having an associated first decryption key multiplexed into a key distribution system, the gap information identifying a gap in the entertainment stream where an ad may be one of inserted or substituted, synchronizing a target ad from an advertisement stream to a time base corresponding to the gap, decrypting the entertainment stream using the first decryption key selected from the key distribution system based on the contributing source information, and rendering the entertainment stream and the target ad as a composite stream based on the chronological order, the target ad being rendered during the gap in the entertainment stream.

ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH TARGETED ADVERTISING - An electronic program guide for use with a television delivery system is disclosed having a plurality of program menus that list information about available television programs. The program information includes, for example, program names and start times. A user navigates the program menus using a user interface, such as an infrared remote control. The user interface controls a cursor that indicates selection of a menu item, such as a program. The selected program is then displayed on the screen. Advertisements are displayed as part of the program guide. The advertisements may include targeted advertisements based on data gathered from the subscriber and stored in a subscriber profile. The data profile may include data gathered directly from the subscriber as well as data gathered based on the subscriber's viewing habits. The electronic programming guide is controlled by a set top terminal co-located with a television set, for example, in a subscriber's home. The guide includes an introductory menu that is displayed on the screen each time the set top terminal is activated. The advertisement may be displayed on the introductory menu.

2008-09-25

20080235726

Television broadcast receiver - An object of the present invention is to provide a function to make a reservation for recording or watching with a simple operation during watching a program promotion, by adding a function to acquire the information required to make a reservation from the program promotion being watched. For the achievement of the object, a character recognition processing unit and an audio recognition processing unit extract keywords from video information and audio information contained in video information. Then, after the keywords are transferred to a keyword managing unit, a program information processing unit appropriately shows the program information to an operator. The operator can make the reservation simply by selecting the presented program information.

2008-09-25

20080235727

DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING BROADCAST PROGRAM LISTING INFORMATION THEREOF - A broadcast receiving apparatus which displays broadcast program listing information is disclosed. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes an EPG processor which configures an EPG screen displaying broadcast programs listing information as a plurality of icons, and a display unit which displays the EPG screen configured by the EPG processor. Accordingly, a user can select desired broadcast program quickly and easily.

2008-09-25

20080235728

BROADCASTING RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR EXECUTING APPLICATIONS IN BROADCASTING RECEIVING APPARATUS - Provided are a broadcast receiving apparatus, and a method for executing an application in the broadcast receiving apparatus. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a controller which assigns a channel number of the broadcast receiving apparatus to an application; a storage unit which stores the channel number; a user input unit which receives a user input signal; and a communication unit which controls data transmission or reception through an interactive communication network, wherein, if the user input signal selects the channel number, the controller executes the application. Accordingly, by utilizing the broadcast receiving apparatus, users can easily access services which are provided through an interactive communication network.

2008-09-25

20080235729

USER INTERFACE APPARATUS, DISPLAY METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A content material of a first content which is reproducible constantly and content information describing information relating to a reproduction of a second content which is reproducible on a predetermined time and date are stored in a storage unit. A timewise characteristic or a characteristic relating to a reproducing state of the content material and/or the content information corresponding to operation candidate contents are determined. The operation candidate contents are list-displayed for each type of the characteristic, and an execution process corresponding to the characteristic of an operation candidate content is displayed as a processing candidate.

User defined rules for assigning destinations of content - A media guidance application is provided by which users can define rules for assigning user equipment devices as destinations for media content. For example, a user may define a rule by which selected media content having attributes that satisfy a user-defined condition are downloaded, recorded, or streamed to a particular, user-specified user equipment device. The user may define and manage rules using media guidance menus, and may restrict other users from accessing the rules (e.g., parents restricting children).

2008-09-25

20080235732

Apparatus and Method for Dynamically Managing User's Favorite Channels - An apparatus and method for dynamically managing a user's favorite channels are provided. The apparatus includes a user input unit receiving a channel change input from the user, a channel list storage unit storing an entire channel list comprising channels receivable using a tuner and channel preference information regarding the user's preference degrees for channels, a control unit calculating a preference degree for a channel selected in response to the channel change input received by the user input unit and analyzing a pattern of channel change inputs, and an output unit providing content of the selected channel according to calculation and analysis results of the control unit.

2008-09-25

20080235733

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSONAL CONTENT ACCESS - A method and system for integrated personal content access have been disclosed. The system includes a gateway which is able to communicate across devices, coordinating media content distribution among the devices and users. The gateway can seamlessly switch or copy content streams from one device to another, even if the devices use different formats or protocols. Tags for adding embellishments to content on the fly for viewing by the user or by others. Tokens for indicating the identity and source of content, along with a location within the content, can also be used when sharing content or when switching content viewing between devices. Additionally, a network of gateways is possible, where content may be shared between devices connected to different gateways.

System and method for dynamic updating of TV menu - When a new device such as a set-back box (SBB) connects to a TV, the menu of the TV is dynamically updated with an icon and an application identification associated with the new device, so that a viewer can select the new device from the menu.

Channel searching system - Disclosed is a channel searching system including: a head end broadcasting a broadcasting signal over a broadcasting medium, the broadcasting signal including a multi-channel video containing a plurality of videos and video configuration information on the videos; and a receiver receiving the broadcasting signal over the broadcasting medium and showing a viewer a channel searching view edited from the multi-channel video based on the video configuration information and searching screen configuration information.

System and method for storing advertising data - A computerized method is disclosed for presenting advertising data extracted from a video data stream, the method including storing a plurality of advertising data items extracted from the video data stream at an end user device; and displaying a plurality of sorted advertising indicator data items at the end user device, wherein each of the advertising indicator data items indicates one of the plurality of stored advertising data items. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed providing a functional and structural interrelationship between a processor in the system and data in the data structure.

2008-09-25

20080235741

Systems and Methods of providing modified media content - A method and system of providing media content is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving media content from a content source at a set-top box device. The media content includes video data having a first playback rate and audio data having the first playback rate. The method further includes transforming the audio data via a non-linear transformation to produce modified audio data having a second playback rate, modifying the video data to produce modified video data having the second playback rate, and synchronizing the modified audio data and the modified video data to produce modified media content having the second playback rate. A network-based media content storage device and associated logic to provide adjusted rate audio content are also disclosed.

2008-09-25

20080235742

CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD, AND SERVER APPARATUS AND RECEIVING APPARATUS USED IN THIS CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM - A server apparatus includes a memory which stores a management table relating content identification information for specifying the content and a trick play request and a trick play data, and a transmitter which refers to the management table based on the content identification information and the trick play request, reads out the corresponding trick play data from the management table according to the reference result, to transmit the trick play data to the receiving apparatus from the specified reproduction starting position.

2008-09-25

20080235743

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING MULTIMEDIA SIGNALS - A method and apparatus for processing multimedia signals is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an adjunct device coupled between a Set-Top Box (STB) and a media device. The adjunct device can have a controller element that receives a telephony signal from a communication system and an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) multimedia signal supplied by the STB, monitors call origination activities in the telephony signal, and presents at the media device in whole or in part the telephony and the IPTV multimedia signal according to the call origination activities monitored. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

2008-09-25

20080235744

Digital broadcast transmission/reception system and digital broadcast transmission/reception method - A digital broadcast transmission/reception method and a digital broadcast transmission/reception system are disclosed. The digital broadcast transmission/reception method includes requesting connection information including information about a server storing contents guide information based on priorities, transmitting the connection information, receiving the connection information and accessing the server storing the priority-based contents guide information, using the connection information, and receiving the priority-based contents guide information from the accessed server.

2008-09-25

20080235745

System and method to provide video communication with a service provider - Methods and systems for providing a video link are provided. A method may include receiving a request to establish a first video link to a healthcare service provider. The method may also include selecting a first healthcare service provider from at least two healthcare service providers and establishing the first video link to the first healthcare service provider.

2008-09-25

20080235746

Methods and apparatus for content delivery and replacement in a network - Methods and apparatus for providing an alternate content delivery mechanism available to content-based network users. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and subscribers are able to retrieve requested content from one or more other subscriber's storage medium and without going outside the cable network (or accessing the network core in any significant capacity) using a peer-to-peer (P2P) network protocol. Using this approach, bandwidth consumption is advantageously pushed out to the edge of the network from the core, also obviating content requests outside the network (e.g., to third-party servers on the Internet). Methods of operating the aforementioned P2P network, and various business paradigms relating thereto, are also disclosed.

2008-09-25

20080235747

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHARING DIGITAL CONTENTS AND SYSTEM FOR SHARING DIGITAL CONTENTS BY USING THE METHOD - A method and apparatus for sharing digital content and a system for sharing digital content are provided. A multimedia device, such as an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), as the apparatus for sharing digital content, includes a decoder for decoding digital content data; a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for encoding the digital content data decoded by the decoder to have a data format which a remote device supports; and a network interface for transmitting the digital content data re-encoded by the DSP to the remote device. In the present invention, once a user subscribes for a content providing service for the IPTV, the user is able to watch digital content of the IPTV in a remote place by using the mobile phone, or the like without separately subscribing for a service for the mobile phone.

2008-09-25

20080235748

TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING DATA - Provided are an apparatus and method for reducing power consumption by selectively turning off frame receiving while undesired service is transmitted. The method includes generating a service frame group including all service frames and designating the frame number for service frames so that a radio frequency (RF) receiving unit operates while receiving the service frames corresponding to a desired service and the power of the RF receiving unit is turned off while the service frames corresponding to an undesired service are transmitted, thereby saving power. In addition, the power of the RF device is continuously turned off during various frames so that the RF device can rest for a longer period of time and thus power saving efficiency is excellent.

2008-09-25

20080235749

Delivering and Displaying Advertisement or Other Application Data to Display Systems - Display devices and systems including television sets, and systems, apparatus and methods for delivering information and providing services through display devices and systems. The display used in the described systems and methods is capable of receiving one or more TV programming channels and an independent designated application channel and having at least a first display window and a second display window separated from each other without spatial overlap on the screen. The information sent over the designated application channel to the display is displayed on the first display window while simultaneously displaying one of the TV programming channels on the second display window. A viewer control mechanism is provided in the display to allow the viewer to switch the information received from the designated application channel from the first display window to the second display window and switch back at the viewer's choice.

2008-09-25

20080235750

BAND SWITCHABLE AMPLIFIER SYSTEM - An amplifier systems for a cable television (CATV) system to increase the ability of a sub-band to transmit information using switchable bands.

2008-09-25

20080235751

Program Data Recording Apparatus - Disclosed is a program data recording apparatus for storing a program data based on a broadcast signal in a storage medium, comprising: a programmed-to-record storage section; a storing control section; an extended program retrieving section; a programmed-to-record program retrieving section; a determining section; a setting section; an updating section, a title storage section for storing the title of the program data stored in the storage medium, a precedence condition storage section for storing the genre of the program and the precedence so as to correspond to each other, and a display control section for determining whether the storing-incompletion information is added to the program data when the program data stored in the storage medium is replayed, and for displaying that a storing of the program data is incomplete on a display section when it is determined that the storing-incompletion information is added to the program data.

2008-09-25

20080235752

Multimedia Presentation Resumption within an Environment of Multiple Presentation Systems - With at least one implementation described herein, one or more viewers are able to watch the same source multimedia content at multiple locations within an environment (e.g., a household). With at least one implementation described herein, a viewer is able to resume watching such content at a new location (or “locus”) from the point that she bookmarked the content at an original location. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

2008-09-25

20080235753

BROADCASTING RECEIVER AND VOLUME CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A broadcasting receiver implements volume control by first software (OCAP application) for volume control obtained from outside or second software (receiver application) for volume control pre-installed. The broadcasting receiver determines whether the first software is obtained or not. When it is determined that the first software is obtained, the broadcasting receiver sends a volume control command which is received by a command receiver to the first software, and otherwise, sends the volume control command to the second software.

2008-09-25

20080235754

Methods and apparatus for enforcing launch policies in processing systems - A processing system has a processing unit, nonvolatile storage, and secure nonvolatile memory with inherent access control. The nonvolatile storage includes an authenticated code (AC) module, a launch policy setting, and a second code module. The secure nonvolatile memory includes an integrity metric for the launch policy setting. When executed by the processing unit, the AC module computes a new integrity metric for the launch policy setting, and uses the new integrity metric for the launch policy setting and the integrity metric for the launch policy setting to determine whether the launch policy setting should be trusted. The AC module may also compute a new integrity metric for the second code module, and may use the launch policy setting and the new integrity metric for the second code module to determine whether the second code module should be allowed to execute.

2008-09-25

20080235755

Firewall propagation - Methods and systems for propagating data security policies and rules up a chain of network components, for example, from an end-user device having a firewall, to a network component at the “edge” of the network, such as a so-called “edge” firewall server, from where a policy statement can be transmitted to a service provider, such as an ISP, are described. A device, such as a computer or mobile phone, has, as part of its firewall software, a policy propagation file, that communicates with pre-existing firewall software. The firewall software creates a policy statement upon detecting a triggering event, which is transmitted from the device to the next data security component up the chain, “upstream,” in the network. In some cases this device may be a firewall server or a firewall policy server. The firewall server may combine policy statements from numerous end-user type devices and transmit the policy statement to an external network component, such as an ISP firewall server or similar device. The ISP or other service provider may then use the policy statement to implement date security rules for the devices in the network. In this manner, the firewall operated by the ISP implements rules and policies of a network owner or the owner of a stand-alone device, thereby preventing unwanted traffic from entering the network.

2008-09-25

20080235756

Resource authorizations dependent on emulation environment isolation policies - A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining a resource authorization dependent upon apparent compliance with a policy of causing an emulation environment to isolate a first software object type from a second software object type; and signaling a decision whether to comply with the policy of causing the emulation environment to isolate the first software object type from the second software object type.

2008-09-25

20080235757

Detecting attempts to change memory - A system and method for detecting changes of memory state. In accordance with one embodiment, memory locations to be observed are determined, and pages of these locations are marked as read-only. Then, guest instructions execute during a trial period. During the trial period, guest instructions attempting to write to the identified memory locations cause page faults which result in identifying the instructions. At the end of the trial period, the pages are returned to a writable status, and attempts to modify the memory locations by the guest code are detected based on the instruction identifier. The system and method can be used for efficient frame list topology monitoring, such as in a virtual USB controller of a virtual machine.

2008-09-25

20080235758

Method for processing securities data - A method for processing securities data comprises: analyzing a plurality of fields of a plurality of securities data in order to respectively conclude the statistic distribution summary of the values of each field of each securities data; defining a grouping and encoding process for the fields according to the distribution summary, and unifying the grouping and encoding processes for all fields into an encoding rule; and encoding the other securities data according to the encoding rule. The encoding rule can greatly reduce the amount of data and it comprises: classifying and rearranging number according to the codes of securities data in order to reduce the size of the transmission serial codes; indicating the relative price for the price of the securities data; indicating the relative time difference for the securities data which have any trading records in the previous one minute; and offering suitable field width and encoding process according to the size of each securities data to indicate its amount.

2008-09-25

20080235759

Methods and Systems for Transparent Data Encryption and Decryption - A method and system for transparently encrypting (and decrypting) sensitive data stored in a directory (or other database) is provided. Sensitive data, a password for example, may be required by a client in a distributed data processing environment. When the database entry is created, the sensitive data received from a user, or more generally, a client, may be encrypted, and saved in the directory entry in encrypted form. Encryption of sensitive data may be performed in accordance with a predetermined set of policies. When the sensitive information is needed, it may be selectively delivered in encrypted or unencrypted form based on a policy in the set. Policies may include criteria external to the database, and interfaced to the database via a policy engine.

2008-09-25

20080235760

Confidential Content Reporting System and Method with Electronic Mail Verification Functionality - A confidential content reporting system and method with electronic mail verification functionality are provided. With the system and method, a security compliance search engine is provided for searching items of information to identify items containing confidential content and security violations with regard to this confidential content. Results of the search may be reported to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) that identifies the item of information, the security violations detected, and suggested corrective actions, such as encryption. A user may interact with the GUI to apply security mechanisms in accordance with the suggested corrective actions. Moreover, the searching and reporting mechanism may be used to search electronic mail messages and their attachments prior to distribution of the electronic mail messages. Automatic modification of the electronic mail message to modify distribution lists and/or content of the electronic mail message may be performed using the mechanisms of the illustrative embodiments.

2008-09-25

20080235761

AUTOMATED DISSEMINATION OF ENTERPRISE POLICY FOR RUNTIME CUSTOMIZATION OF RESOURCE ARBITRATION - A system and method for disseminating policies to multiple policy-based components includes a policy producer which generates a group of policies to be enforced. A policy disseminator classifies each policy with a type, and for each policy type, the policy disseminator identifies policy-based components that handle a corresponding policy type. The policy disseminator sends specific policy types from the group of policies to each policy-based component that can handle that specific policy type.

System and method of providing security for a multimedia timeline - Systems and methods of providing security for a multimedia timeline are disclosed. A first set of multimedia items may be provided to a visual display to obtain access to a multimedia timeline. A first selection of at least one of the first set of multimedia items may be received. Access may be provided to the multimedia timeline when the first selection matches a first key.

2008-09-25

20080235764

Resource authorizations dependent on emulation environment isolation policies - A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining a resource authorization dependent upon apparent compliance with a policy of causing an emulation environment to isolate a first software object type from a second software object type and signaling a decision whether to comply with the policy of causing the emulation environment to isolate the first software object type from the second software object type.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DOCUMENT CERTIFICATION - A method and apparatus for authenticating documents is described. A document from a client is processed to determine if it is authentic and then tags are generated to indicate that a document is authentic or not. The tags can be added to the document before it is sent to a recipient. The document is also stored and made available to the sender, recipient or third party together with a certificate of authenticity.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATION OF A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system and method for authentication of a communication device is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an authentication system can have a controller element that receives from a communication device by way of a packet-switched network an authentication request comprising a first identification (ID) of a gateway and a second ID of the communication device. The gateway and at least one network element of the packet-switched network can be provisioned to have a physical association with each other such that other network elements of the packet-switched network deny services to the gateway when the gateway attempts to operate outside of said physical association. From said physical association and the aforementioned IDs the controller element can authenticate the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

2008-09-25

20080235769

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE TARPITS USING DISTRIBUTED VIRTUAL MACHINES - A system and method for adaptive tarpits using distributed virtual machines. A method in an embodiment may include determining an intrusion prevention strategy in response to a potential attack on a network. Then, based on the intrusion prevention strategy, allocating at least one virtual tarpit in the network, where the at least one virtual tarpit is implemented as a virtual machine, and the adapting the at least one virtual tarpit in the network includes one or more of suspending a virtual tarpit, resuming a suspended virtual tarpit and migrating a virtual tarpit to another virtual machine in the network. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

2008-09-25

20080235770

System and Method of Network Authentication, Authorization and Accounting - A network authentication, authorization and accounting system and a method thereof, wherein said system comprises: a subscriber device, via which a subscriber is connected with the network; an access server, connected with the subscriber device and designed to enable the subscriber device to access the network; an AAA server, connected with the access server and designed to collaborate with the access server to accomplish authentication, authorization, and accounting for the subscriber accessing the network; a service server, connected with the access server, designed to provide specific services, to exchange authentication and authorization information with the AAA server, and to interact with the subscriber device to provide the service; a service accounting server, connected with the service server, designed to collaborate with the service server to accomplish accounting for service resource use of the subscriber, and to send the accounting data to the AAA server. Accordingly, the present invention also discloses a network authentication, authorization and accounting method. The present invention enables a subscriber to access different types of services with only the subscriber identification information (user name and password) through a single identity authentication process, and supports centralized accounting.

2008-09-25

20080235771

Method and System For Dynamic Adjustment of Computer Security Based on Network Activity of Users - A method, system, apparatus, or computer program product is presented for securing computational resources in a data processing system. A first user uses a first computational device, and a user security level is associated with the first user. Likewise, a second user uses a second computational device, and a user security level is associated with the second user. The computational resources on the first computational device are automatically reconfigured based on the second user security level of the second user. A computational security level may be assigned to a computational resource on the first computational device, and the computational security level is dynamically adjusted in response to detected network activity by the second computational device that is being used by the second user. Modified security-related parameters for reconfiguring computational resources on the first computational device are reconfigured based on the adjusted computational security level.

2008-09-25

20080235772

Iterated password hash systems and methods for preserving password entropy - Methods and systems consistent with the invention provide a hash process for use in password authentication. For instance, in one embodiment, a method may include receiving password data and combining the password data with a salt value. The salt value may, for example, be a random number. The method may also include calculating a first hash value based on the combined password data and salt value. The method may further include calculating, in a second iteration, a second hash value based on the first hash value and the password. In exemplary implementations, the method may also iteratively calculate a new hash value by applying the output hash value of a previous iteration, in combination with the password data, to the hash function. The number of iterations may be determined by an iteration count.

2008-09-25

20080235773

Method of irrugalar password configuration and verification - A method of irregular password configuration and verification, comprising one irregular character series with a series of texts, numbers or symbols inputted into a system to generate a series of password displaying onscreen of a display device. The series of password comprises at least one register code and at least one random combination unit with a text and a number, or a symbol, wherein the register code is concealed in the random combination unit.

2008-09-25

20080235774

Authentication Apparatus and Authentication Method Using Random Pulse Generator - This invention provides an authentication apparatus and an authentication method using a random pulse generator for generating completely random pulses and using a completely random signal as an authentication signal. The authentication apparatus includes: a random pulse generator (hereinafter referred to as the RPG), arranged in a body or a partner side or in both the body and the partner side which generates random pulses; a unit which outputs an authentication signal based on the random pulses generated by the RPG; a unit which stores the authentication signal; a communication unit which transmits/receives an authentication signal; and a control unit which controls the communication of an authentication signal and collate an authentication signal, whereby a complete security can be maintained and safety can be established on the part of the user.

2008-09-25

20080235775

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO MULTIPLE PUBLIC NETWORKS AND FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO MULTIPLE PRIVATE NETWORKS - A system and method for controlling access to multiple public networks and for controlling access to multiple private networks is provided. Authentication is used with unique public shared secrets and unique private shared secrets to control access to the networks. The invention includes a user device for communicating with at least a public network and/or a private network. The device may be capable of accessing multiple networks through one or more private networks with multiple access control servers. The user device must provide a correct response to each access control server, before access to the network may be granted. The device generates a one-time password, or response, to gain access to a controlled network server. The response generated by the device is matched to a response generated by an access control server that may have generated a challenge that prompted the response. If the two responses match, the device is authenticated and a user of the device is granted access to the network server.

SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DENYING UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO A PRIVATE DATA PROCESSING NETWORK - Systems and methods for denying access to a data processing system by an intruder are provided. Input/output (I/O) on the intruder's connection may be taken over and responses mimicking a local terminal session passed back. On an attempted reconnect by the intruder, the user name and password used by the intruder to access the system may be captured. The password may then be changed on the edge system and the intruder's terminal session disconnected, or alternatively, continue to log the intruder's activity.

2008-09-25

20080235778

COMMUNICATION NETWORK, AN ACCESS NETWORK ELEMENT AND A METHOD OF OPERATION THEREFOR - An access network element provides user equipment access to a network comprising a centralised authentication server. The access network element comprises an authentication processor which authenticates the access network element at the centralised authentication server. In addition, the access network element authenticates a first user equipment in response to the authentication of the access network element by the centralised authentication server. A communication processor supports a peer-to-peer first communication session for the first user equipment and a peer-to-peer second communication session with a second access network element which supports a peer-to-peer communication session with a second user equipment. Peer-to-peer communication between the first and second user equipments is supported by exchanging data between the first communication session and the second communication session. The invention may allow benefits of de-centralised peer-to-peer communications to be combined with existing centralised network architectures such as the Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, IMS.

2008-09-25

20080235779

TRUSTED LOCAL SINGLE SIGN-ON - A method includes running on a computer a first operating environment for performing general-purpose operations and a second operating environment, which is configured exclusively for interacting with multiple servers in respective secure communication sessions and is isolated from the first operating environment. Multiple server-specific credentials for authenticating a user of the computer to the respective servers, as well as a single set of master credentials for authenticating the user to the second operating environment, are stored in the second operating environment.

2008-09-25

20080235780

Secure Document Management System - A method for presenting a user with alternative document upload mechanisms includes receiving a user request for upload of a document. The user is presented with a graphical user interface containing a plurality of upload mechanisms. The user selects an upload mechanism which is received by a document management system. The document management system receives an electronic version of the document via the selected upload mechanism. The received document is routed in digitized format to an area of a secure electronic document storage system associated with the user.